PROGRAM DIRECTIVES

 

The thrust of the program is to provide a catalytic social change learning process so this at-risk population can begin to think, act and compete in the workforce without the overwhelming barriers of achieving success. With practical financial literacy training from local banking and financial partners, an understanding of personal wealth building and financial management can be achieved at any age.  Personal and corporate etiquette protocols will introduce the necessary social skills for the workforce; therefore this target population would be exposed to life skills beyond the basics. To be competitive in the future, this population must be introduced to a new way of life that bypasses the criminal justice system.  The program will allow the participants to understand how to manage money, how to read the stock pages and analyze risk, how to negotiate successfully and earn real money, how to run a business, how to become successful, how to maintain a car, how to utilize technology; to reference only a few of the areas than remain obscure to them based on their socio-economic status. To capture their attention, we must provide an equal playing field where their limitations are removed and the possibilities are limitless.

 

Our aim is to achieve accelerated academic support utilizing the nationally recognized interactive Khan Academy, crime prevention awareness with local law enforcement, Neighborhood Crime Watch and/or the Police Athletic League (PAL), cultural enrichment with the Pinellas County Arts Council, volunteer community building initiatives with Pinellas Habitat for Humanity, career assessment, non-traditional career mapping with advanced environmental and technological skills using green jobs training and technical training from Career Source Pinellas.  Mentorship and leadership development training with audio visual components from nationally recognized religious and civic programs such as, Wayne Dyer, Rev. Dr. T.D. Jakes, The Pinellas County Urban League, The Covey Institute, Dr. Steven Covey, author of “The Seven Steps of Highly Successful People”, Dr. Dennis Kimbro, author, “Think and Grow Rich, A Black Choice” along with the local partnership of Next Level Mentoring Program.  Psychological and behavior evaluations from West Care Human Services, Pinellas Ex-Offender Re-Entry Coalition and Operation Par will evaluate and treat anger management, trauma induced behavior and drug addiction.